Wood garlic

Wood Garlic (also known as Ramsons, Bear's Garlic, Wild Garlic, and Broad-leaved Garlic) is a wild relative of chives native to Europe and Asia. The Latin name is Allium ursinum.

Description

Wood Garlic is a bulbous, perennial plant which grows in moist, shaded areas in forests. The leaves are similar to those of lily of the valley. Unlike the related garlic and onion, the whole plant has a strong garlic odor.

Culinary Uses

The leaves of Wood Garlic are edible and can be used as salad, herb, boiled as a vegetable, in soup, or as an ingredient for a sauce. The bulbs and flowers are also edible. It is a part of popular foods in many parts of Europe.

Medicinal Uses

Wood Garlic has been used as a medicinal plant since ancient times. It has been used to treat digestive disorders and high blood pressure. It is also known to have antibiotic properties.

Cultivation

Wood Garlic prefers damp, shaded areas and rich soil. It can be grown from seed or bulb, but it is often easier to propagate by division.

Conservation

In some countries, Wood Garlic is protected by law as it is a declining species in certain areas. It is important to only forage for Wood Garlic with permission and where it is not protected by law.

See Also

• Allium
• Garlic
• Chives
• Onion

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